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MASSACHUSETTS 



SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE. 






MASSACHUSETTS 

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE. 



LIST OF OFFICERS. 

PRESIDENT ^ 

MARSHALL P. WILDER. 

TREASURER : 

RICHARD S. FAY. 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY : 

CHARLES C. SEWALL. 

RECORDING SECRETARY: 

ASA FRENCH. 

TRUSTEES : 

MARSHALL P. WILDER, 
BENJAMIN V. FRENCH, 
GEORGE W. LYMAN, 
RICHARD S. FAY, 
SAMUEL HOOPER, 
JOSEPH S. CABOT, 
CHARLES 0. WHITMORE. 



BOSTON: 

1858. 

J. H. EASTBURN'S PRESS. 



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Sir: 

In calling your attention to the Act of the Legislatui'e, 
incorporating the " Trustees of the Massachusetts School 
OF Agriculture," for the promotion of Agriculture and Agri- 
cultural Education, we wish to give some explanations of the 
design of the association, with the hope that it will meet your 
approbation, and receive your aid and sympathy. 

The people of this Commonwealth, who have reflected upon 
the importance and necessity of improving the condition of 
Agriculture in the State, have long been convinced that more 
active measures should be taken to rescue it fi'om its present 
neglected condition, by treating the cultivation of the soil as a 
science, and giving to it more careful and systematic attention 
and study than heretofore. While we have schools and colleges 
to prepare for other pui-suits in life, that most important of all 
occupations, the culture of the soil, is left to take care of itself. 
Indeed, the education which is now so liberally bestowed upon 
our children, tends to render manual labor irksome to them, and 
to lead them from this important field of industry, towards occu- 
pations more congenial to the purely intellectual training of our 
schools. 

It is with a view of correcting those evils, by combining the 
education of the head and of the hands, — the practical with the 
intellectual, — by elevating agriculture to the rank of a science ; 
that the design has been formed of establishing an institution to 
prepare young men to enter upon the occupation of farming, 
with as much information in regard to that employment, and as 
much certainty of attaining profitable results, as in other de- 
partments of industry. 

It is proposed to sohcit bequests and donations throughout 
the State, to obtain the means of purchasing suitable lands, and 
erecting the necessary buildings for a school or schools, where, 
in addition to the usual branches of a sound but simple Ameri- 
can education, the pupils shall be taught, in a practical manner, 
the best methods of husbandry adapted to the soil and climate. 



'S 

The leading object will be, to convey to the pupils a practical 
knowledge of whatever is necessary in managing the cultivation 
of land successfully, in reference to the every-day work of the 
fai'mer, the gardener, or the breeder of cattle, — to the economy 
of time and labor, — and to that systematised plan of operations, 
without which, they can never hope to succeed. 

It is not the intention to create reform schools, by admitting 
as pupils those who require, from any cause, more rigid disci- 
pline than is usually exacted in common schools ; on the con- 
trary, it is the intention to requhe testimonials of previous good 
character, as a qualification for admission as pupils, and to admit 
only those who come for instruction, and are willing to labor 
diligently to obtain it. It is intended that the school shall bear 
the same relation to the farming interest of Massachusetts, which 
the West Point Academy sustains to the military interests of 
the nation, viz. : that of a thoroughly practical, preparatory 
school, where sound theory and intelligent practice may be so 
blended and harmonized, as to be inseparably connected in the 
minds of those, who have faithfully gone through with the pre- 
scribed course of discipline. 

Many of the principles of agriculture are but little known to 
the great mass of our farmers, though the establishment of State 
and County Agricultural Societies, has done much to awaken a 
new interest in the subject, and to elevate the standai'd of farm- 
ing; but this increase of knowledge and interest has shown the 
necessity, and excited the desire, for more improved and enlarged 
instruction. Many principles connected with the tillage of land 
are yet to be discovered, and there are conflicting opinions in 
regard to many important agricultural subjects, even among the 
most learned and experienced in such matters ; but how few 
even of those princix^les, which may now be considered as well 
settled and established, are really well understood and famihar 
to our working farmers. 

The legislative act authorizes the Trustees to estabhsh in a 
permanent manner, agricultural schools connected with an expe- 
rimental and model farm, where the pupils may be thoroughly 
taught and disciplined in the theory and practice of farming, and 
of all that relates to rural affairs. Such an institution also sug- 
gests and opens a broad field of usefulness, by investigations to 



discover new principles of agriculture, to harmonize the diiFerent 
views in regard to the cultivation of land, and to convey a prac- 
tical and familiar knowledge of them. An experimental farm is 
the place for such investigations ; and important facts estabhshed 
there are made available to the whole community. 

Agricultui-e is too often considered to be a business with which 
the principles of natural science have little or nothing to do, — 
requiring only physical force to plough, to sow, and to gather the 
crops from year to year, regardless of the poverty which this 
practice is gradually inflicting upon the soil and upon its owner. 
But science and art should be united with labor, and they should 
mutually aid each other in agriculture, as they have in the manu- 
factory, and the shop of the artizan. They are probably capable 
of rendering more important aid, and opening a wider field of 
useful and profitable study, to the cultivator of the soil in our 
State, than to any other class of society. Instead of the uncer- 
tamty and guess work which has too much prevailed, scientific 
knowledge will create the confidence and certainty derived fi-om 
familiar and correct knowledge of the vegetable and animal sys- 
tems ; the knowledge of the nature and character of soils, and 
their capacity to produce the various kinds of crops, — of the 
manures best adapted to those various soils and crops, — of the 
changes which occur in plants in the different stages of their 
growth, — of the comparative value of the difierent articles of food 
for man and for animals, — of what is necessary to produce fat, or 
bone and muscle. The investigation of these laws of nature, will 
also demonstrate the wisdom and goodness of that Being who 
ordained these laws, and endowed man with faculties to discover 
and use them for the happiness and welfare of his creatures. 

The advantage of increased attention and scientific skill in 
the cultivation of the soil, is strikingly illustrated by the fact 
that the number of bushels of wheat produced to the acre in 
England, is nearly, if not quite, one half more than the usual 
average of those parts of the United States, where the soil and 
climate are by nature peculiarly suited to its cultivation. 

The numerous institutions of similar character to the one pro- 
posed, now existing in other countries, and more especially in 
France and Germany, Avill furnish much valuable information to 
guide us ; and in availing ourselves of such information to its 



fullest extent, it will be with tlie determination of adapting all 
our rules, and teachings, and experiments, to the special wants of 
Massachusetts, and to the character of her people. 

It is not the intention to furnish wholly gratuitous instruction 
from the general resources of the association ; if, however, funds 
are specially bestowed for that object, they will be faithfully 
applied to it. The larger the amount of the means at the com- 
mand of the Trustees may be, the cheaper will be the cost of 
instruction to the pupils, and the greater the facihties for a 
thoroughly practical education. 

The Trustees will not attempt to provide any establishment, 
or make any expenditures, until sufficient means are obtained to 
purchase suitable land, and provide everything requisite to carry 
on a farm, garden, and school, in the way best calculated to 
fulfil the purposes of the act of incorporation. Whatever con- 
tributions are received will be invested from time to time, until 
sufficient funds are obtained. 

With this brief and general explanation, the Trustees appeal 
to the community for the funds necessary to commence their 
work. They have no endowment from the State. In their 
opinion, the object appeals to the patriotism and philanthropy of 
the citizens of our Commonwealth ; and it is hoped that the 
appeal will be liberally met. 

Any donations can be sent to the Treasui-er, Richard S. Fay, 
Esq., No. 13 Exchange street, Boston, who will acknowledge 
the receipt of the same. 

Bequests should be to " The Trustees of the Massachu- 
setts School of Agriculture," and may be general, or may 
be limited to any purpose within the scope of the Institution, as 
the testator may designate. 

MARSHALL P. WILDER, ' 

BENJAMIN V. FRENCH, 

GEORGE W. LYMAN, 

RICHARD S. FAY, )■ Trustees. 

SAMUEL HOOPER, 

JOSEPH S. CABOT, 

CHARLES O. WHITMORE, 



CDomwottiuealtf) of MmMt^mtttn, 



In tlie Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-six. 



AN ACT 
To incorporate the Massachusetts School of Agriculture. 

£e it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General 
Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — 

Sect. 1. Marshall P. Wilder, of Dorchester, Benjamin V. 
French, of Braintree, George W. Lyman, of Waltham, Seth Sprague, 
of Duxbury, Moses Newell, of Newbury, Richard S. Fay, of Lynn, 
Samuel Hooper, of Boston, and their successors and associates, are 
hereby constituted a corporation by the name of the Trustees of the 
Massachusetts School of Agriculture, for the purpose of holding, 
maintaining and conducting, an experimental farm and school there- 
upon, with all needful buildings, library, apparatus and appurtenan- 
ces, for the promotion of agricultural and horticultural art within 
this Commonwealth, with all the powers and privileges, and subject 
to all the duties, liabilities and restrictions, set forth in the forty- 
fourth chapter of the Revised Statutes. 

Sect. 2. The said corporation may hold, by bequest, gift, pur- 
chase or otherwise, real and personal estate not exceeding the sum 
of five hundred thousand dollars. 

Sect. 3. Any person may become a corporator for life in said 
institution, upon the payment of one hundred dollars to the treasurer 
thereof, who shall, upon such payment, issue to him a certificate to 
that efi"ect. 

Sect. 4. Upon the death or resignation of any trustee in said 
corporation, or upon his incapacity to perform the duties thereof, by 
reason of mental or other infirmity, or by reason of prolonged ab- 
sence from the Commonwealth, the surviving or remaining mem- 
bers thereof, together with the corporators for the time being, shall 
have power to choose a successor at any meeting duly notified for 
that purpose, and five members shall constitute a quorum, unless the 
number shall be reduced by death or otherwise, below that number, 
in which event three shall constitute a quorum for that purpose. 

Sect. 5. In the event of a dissolution of said corporation, by the 
voluntary act of said trustees and corporators, at any time, the real 
and personal property belonging to the corporation shall devolve up- 
on, and belong to, the Commonwealth, to be held by the same, and 
to be disposed of as it may see fit, in the advancement of agricultural 
education. 



BY-LAWS 



%xnim of % '' Sassatlusttts <§c^0ol d %ptul\mt! 



Art. 1st. The officers of this Board shall consist of a President, 
a Treasurer, a Corresponding Secretary, and a Recording Secretary, 
to be chosen annually by ballot, their respective terms of office to 
continue until others are installed in their stead. The two first- 
named officers shall be selected from the Board of Trustees. 

Art. 2nd. The President, (or, in his absence, the Senior Trustee 
present,) shall preside at all meetings of the Board ; and a majority 
of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of busi- 
ness at any meeting. 

Art. 3rd. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and 
carefully preserve all moneys, or securities of any kind, and evidences 
of the same, which may become the propei'ty of this Board ; he shall 
also manage the same, under the direction of the Board : and no bills 
shall be paid by him unless first approved by the Trustees ; and no 
money shall be drawn from the funds of the Board on deposit, except 
upon an order signed by the Treasurer, and countersigned by the 
President. 

The Treasurer shall prepare and present to the Board, once at 
least in every quarter, a full statement of the financial affiiirs of the 
Massachusetts School of Agriculture, and he shall give such bonds as 
the Trustees may from time to time require. 

Art. 4th. The Corresponding Secretary shall prepare all letters 
to be written in the name of the Board, and conduct its correspond- 
ence ; he shall keep copies of the same in a book to be provided for 
the purpose, which shall be open to the inspection of the Board at all 
times ; he shall also receive and read all letters and papers addressed 
to the Board, and shall dispose of them in such a manner as shall be 
directed by the Board. In the absence of the Recording Secretary, 
the Corresponding Secretary shall pei-form his duties ; and in the 
absence of both Secretaries, the President shall appoint either a Cor- 
responding or Recording Secretary, or both, pro tempore. 



Art. 5th. The Recording Secretary shall keep a faithful record 
of all the doings of the Board, at any meeting of the same, in a book 
to be kept for that purpose ; and he shall call special meetings of the 
Board when so requested by the President, or upon application of 
any two of the Trustees, in writing : he shall also perform such other 
duties connected with his office as the Trustees may require ; and, in 
the absence of the Corresponding Secretary, he shall perform his 
duties. 

Art. 6th. The stated meetings of the Board shall be held on the 
first Mondays of January, April, July, and October ; and the annual 
meeting for the election of officers, on the first Monday of April. 
And special meetings may be called at other times in the manner 
designated in the preceding Article. 



~ At a meeting of the Trustees of the Massachusetts School of 
Agriculture, held in Boston, the Board was organized by the choice 
of the following officers : — 

PRESIDENT, 

Hon. MARSHALL P. WILDER. 

TREASURER, 

RICHARD S. FAY. 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, 

CHARLES C. SEWALL. 

RECORDING SECRETARY, 

ASA FRENCH. 



Boston, April 5th, 1858. 

The meeting of the Trustees, held this day, was called to order by 
the President, Mr. Wilder, who announced the death of the Hon. 
Seth Sprague, and of Hon. Moses Newell, members of the Board of 
Trustees. 

The vacancies in the Board, occasioned thereby, were then filled 
by the unanimous choice of Charles O. Whitmore, of Boston, and 
Joseph S. Cabot, of Salem, and the Secretary was directed to notify 
those gentlemen of their election. 

ASA FRENCH, 

Recording Secretary. 



H 11-3 81 







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